Makalolo Plains - January 2008
04 Feb 2008
Staff at Makalolo
Guides: Dickson Dube, Hupu Dube, Raymond Ndlovu, Godfrey Kunze
Hostess and Host: Nelly Chinyere & Bekie Ncube
Management: Amon Johnson
Weather
The rains in the month of January have been great with unexpectedly high rainfall being recorded. Total rainfall for the month: 262mm. Most of the days have been overcast. On the 29th we had the highest rainfall record - an astounding 54mm. Temperatures have been fairly cool with maximum temperatures of 30ºC and minimum temperatures of 22ºC.
Vegetation, Landscape and Water
The bush is alive with an array of various colours. The vegetation, as expected for this time of year, is green and lush, and insect life is abundant. 43 species of grass have been recorded with the most abundant being the Couch Grass which is characteristic of the lower lying areas around our concession and is highly palatable for most of the herbivores. Water is everywhere, the plains look like a lake at the moment! Waterholes are spilling over and alive with larvae of invertebrates and birdlife. We have therefore stopped pumping water to all our artificial water pans as there is enough to sustain the animals for the next few months.
Wildlife News
Probability sightings for January were as follows:
>30% Wildebeest, lion, leopard, white rhino
31-69% Cape buffalo, spotted hyaena, roan antelope, sable, grey duiker
70-100% Elephant, tree squirrel, steenbok, hippo, giraffe, impala, jackal, bat-eared fox, chacma baboon, black-backed jackal, warthog, waterbuck, and zebra
Due to the wet weather conditions most of our visitors have been unable to fly into camp and thus we have resorted to road transfers to and from camp through part of the Hwange National Park. This additional time in the park has however resulted in some great sightings en route.
A male leopard was sighted at Mbiza; it was relaxed and seemed well fed, most probably after having a good meal in the thickets. The male lion coalition, the Ngamo Boys, has been frequent visitors to the plains, keeping to the dry patches. Small herds of zebra, waterbuck, and impala always come on a daily basis to graze on the variety of the grasses that we have in front of camp. The warthog and their families have moved off the plains, and have found refuge in a drier area. The wildebeest have not been seen for a while; maybe the waterlogged Makalolo Plains have discouraged them.
Birds and Birding.
A total of 192 bird species were recorded. We have seen the influx of both Intra-African and Palaearctic migrant birds as they come to share this summer season with us.
Little Somavundhla pan is a host to a number of storks such as Abdim's, Woolly-Necked, Saddle-billed, Yellow-billed, Marabou and White Storks. These all aggregate around the waterhole every morning and during the late hours of the day having a good feast on frogs and other invertebrates on the fertile swampy Kalahari sands.
Masked weavers are now in their breeding season as is evident of their numerous nests on trees just around the camp. One striking sighting was when we saw a female weaver furiously destroying a male's nest - evidence that, despite all the courtship displays he had made, he was not meeting her high standards. The male weaver however could not stand the chance of losing her as he quickly started to work on another one which seemed more appealing to her.
A Kori Bustard was seen with two chicks, coming out from the Teak Woodland going into the Plains, which is their normal feeding habitat. Guineafowls have not been seen in the plains, but a few have been spotted in the woodlands with their chicks.
Guest Comments
"It was a great first safari experience! I can't wait to return to see a leopard and buffalo". - Natalie (USA)
"Re-run honeymoon after 25 years - even better than the first time. Well done to staff at Makalolo. Plenty of rains, game and fun". - Rob and Sheila (USA)
"People are very nice, the place is wonderful, we saw many animals and learnt a lot from our guides. Will not forget these days, never. Thank you". - Nyriam (France)
Till next month, from the Makalolo Team.
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